Wrapping machine for bale ties



March 831932. A c;1 E, JQHNSQN i 1,848,254

WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BALB TIES Filnd Oot- 6, .192B 3 ShQlMl-Sht 1 March 8, 1932. Q E. SHNSON I 1,848,254

WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BALE TIES Filed Oct. G, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 AX x 51 3mm/bz @afg Ei Jamara.

March 8, 1932. c. E. JoHNsoN 1,848,254

WRAPPING MACHINE FOR BALB TIES .Filed oct. e, 1928 s sheets-sheet 3 6W5' E Jam-snm v om@ Patented Mar. 8, l1932 ,l out n .-rozrusou, or sruinnows-` Perma Assmuoiz resumen srnm/ wmrnm MACHINE rosmarino Alppucation led October 8, `No. 3155898;

' l My invention relates to,l wrapping machines' and to vthev commercial package or bundle formed thereby, and rmore particularly adapted for use in relation to wrapping wire bale ties of well known type having an eye or loo formed at oneend while the opposite en of .the tie is left straight, although itis also adapted for use in Wrapping straightened and cut Wire lengthsor rods and the like.

The Wire bale ties ofthe above mentioned type are formed in a bale tie. machine which is adapted to make the nishedtie and convey it intova receptacle Where the ties are received and piled in parallel relation to each other with the heads at one end and the straight ends at the opposite end of the ile, this convv tinues until two hundred and fty bale ties have been formed,v which is the number required for each bundle, the receptacle is then i automatically tripped or dumped. This bundle is then inspected and'prepared for shipment. Heretofore it has been the practice to take the bundle of ties from the bale tie forming machine, cover 'cach end of the bundle with burlap or the like protective material and secure the same thereto by means of a piece of Wire which is Given oneor more turns around the sides of eac of the burlapped ends of the bundle. As bale ties are of considerable length the intermediate portion of the bundle was similarly bound together at in .tervals' by short pieces of wire which were given one or more turns around the body of the bundle to form a ring and the ends twisted together. In handling and shipping these bundles whichare of considerable weight, the larger sized bale tie bundles Weighin approximately one hundred pounds, theseiind` ing rings become disarranged by sliding on the bundle and it has always been necessary after shipment or ha'ndlingto redress the bundles, thereby entailingconsiderable addij l tional time and expense.

y My invention obviates this diiiiculty withi out increasing the cost of Wrapping.

W'ith my improvedwmanner'of wrapping 'l the bundles, I rsta-pply `thewburlap to the "loop ends "of the bundle 'ofbale Vties and-at tach it thereto by wiregin the-'usual manner. I 1 then attach 'one end cfa spool of Wire to this burla pcd endof the bundle Aand thenY wind it spira ly and continuously.` around the' bundle until it reaches nearly tothe opposite end of' the bundle Whereit` is. 'ven two or more tight Wraps around the undle and cut off then cover this' opposite end of the bundle with burlap and attach it thereto in the usuali manner.

ment. Y Having thus iven a general description of my invention will now, inorder to make the same more c ear, referto the accompanying ythree sheets'of drawin in whichlike lThe bundle isthen readyfor. shipcharacters of reference indicatelike parts:

mechanism, the ligure being` tekenen the line. 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectiondrawn ori a larger scale of the guide and feed mechanism for advancing the bundle of bale ties While wrapping, tahen on the line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 isan end elevation of the receiving trough standards, the figure being taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows; l,

Fig. 6 is a detail top plan view of the clamp feed bar drawn on a larger scale;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the clamp feed bar illustrated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of' the chuck clamp and enough of the adjacent parts to show its relative position lthereto drawn on a larger-scale; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of thechuckclamp illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal sectional elevation taken through'thecenter line ofthe machineon the line 10-10of Eig. 3 of1 they -`Wrapping mechanism and the adjacent portion of the guide and feeding mechanism showing the bundle at the beginning-of the Wrapping operation;

.and then the end tied securely thereto. I' f5 I the wrapping wire has been secured to ther end of the bundle shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 illustrates the opposite or straight ends of the bale tie bundle at the end of the wire wrapping and tying operation;

Fig. illustrates the final operation after the burlap has been applied and secured to the end of the bundle shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 villustrates the finished bale tie bundleg'and v Fig. 17 is adetail of one of the bale ties of which the hundlefis composed. Y Referring now to the characters of reference on 4the drawings, the numeral l indi-- cates the base frame of built up structural material for the wrapping mechanism, upon which is mounted bearing blocks 2,3 and 4. A pipe 5 is rigidly secured to the bearing block 2, having a slot formed therein throughout its length as at 6 Vwhich is preferably of greater width at the rear portion of the shaft to enable the bundle 7 of bale ties to be more easily inserted therethrough before wrapping. The forward or narrower portion of the slot 6 is adapted to be closed during the wrapping operation by means of a light arcshaped cover 8, to prevent stray bale ties from escaping therefrom :and is operated by means of a handle 9, which is raised to a vertical position to close the slot and to a horizontal positionto engage a notch 10 in the pipe 5 when it is desired to open the same. A tubular shaft 11. is mounted on the forward end of the pipe l5 and is journaled in the bearing blocks 3 and 4, having a slot formed therein as at 12 adapted to register with the slot 6 in the pipe 5. The tubular shaft 11 is formed with an integral annular flange 13 which engages the rear side of the bearing block 4 and also carries a gear 14`having an enlarged opening therein in line with the slot 12 and having a shroud at one side as at 15. The gear 14 meshes with a pinion 16 which is attached to the outer end of the shaft of a motor 17, mounted on the base frame 1. A spindle 18 is attached to the side face of the gear 14 for receiving a spool of wire 18 or other wrapping material, the end of which is threaded through an eye 19of a pin 20 which is also carried by the gear 14.

The forward end of the slotted pipe 5 carries a chuck 21 illustrated more clearly in Figs. 8 and 9. This chuck is inserted in the end of the slotted pipe 5 and secured thereto by means of set screws 22. The chuck comprises a fixed portion 23 attached to the pipe 5 having an opening therein as at 24 which registers with the slot in the pipe 5 and having a hinged portion 25 adapted to cover the opening, one end of which is pivoted as at 26 to a bifiircated end ofthe fixed portion while the opposite end is rovided with teeth 28 at the side and is a4' apted to extend into a similar bifurcation 29 at the adjacent end of the fixed portion. A leaf spring 30 having a. catch 31 formed integral therewith is attached by means of a screw 32 to the front side face of vthe stationary portion 23, the catch 31 extends through an opening 33 in the side of the stationary portion and is adapted to engage the teeth 28 on the end of the hinged portion 25. A ring 34 is attached to the leaf spring 30 by means of which the catch may be raised out of engagement with the teeth 28 when it is desired to insert or remove a bundle of bale ties before or after wrapping as the case may be. In order to allow a free swing action to the hinged cover member, curfs arc formed near the ends of the pipe 5 in alignment therewith. The inner walls of the fixed portion 23 and the hinged cover member are formed with serrations as at 35 to prevent the bundle of bale ties from turning during the wrapping operation, but allowing it to slide through the chuck during the wrapping operation.

A feeding or conveying .mechanism is mounted on a base frame 36 in longitudinal alignment with the wrapping mechanism, comprising spaced channels 37 mounted thereon and secured at the top by means of a cover plate 38 upon which is mounted guide ways 39 of built-up plate structure in which the clamp bar 40 is adapted to slide. This clamp bar is more clearly shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7 comprising a clamp portion 41 formed integral with the bar. This clamp has a chair portion 42 having upwardly extending legs between which the burlapped end of the bundle is seated and clamped by means of a lever 43 one end of which is ivoted to one of the legs as at 44, the oppos1te end being formed with a handle 45 and carries a spring catch 46 adapted to engage a rack bar 47 which is secured to the chair. The clamp bar is offset downwardly from the chair as at 48 and has a forwardly projecting T-shaped head portion 49 having an upwardly extending handle 50 and a downwardly extending pin 51 adapted to engage the links of a sprocket chain 52- whicb passes over sprocket wheels 53 and 54 mounted on shafts 55 and 56 and secured to the channels 37 near the opposite ends of the guide ways 39. The sprocket shaft 56 also' carries a worm gear 5'? meshing with a worm 58 connected to the shaft of a motor 59 for driving the feeding mechanism. In order to insert the T-shaped head in the guide ways 39 the top plates 60 for the guide ways are cut away as at 6l to form a larger opening therein. It Will be noted that the ends of thesetopplates do not extend. the full length ofthe guide -Ways,-but stop short thereof for the purpose of allowing the clamp bar to be tripped to disengage the pin 51 from the sprocket chain 52. This is vdone either manually, or b v the chair portion 42 contacting With an adjustable stop 62.

Brackets 63 are secured to the outer faces of each of the channels 37 which serve the purpose of troughs for receiving the bundle at either side .of the machine after it has been spirally wrapped Withwire and it is then desired to secure the burlap to the straight ends of the bundle of bale ties.

A receivingtable 64 is located in longitudinal alignment with the Wrapping mechanism but on the opposite end to that of the feeding device, having a built-up base portion with supporting standards 65 mounted thereon having trough shaped heads 66 adapted to receive the bundle of bale ties from the bale tie machine Where it is inspected, the ends evened up and the burlap attached to the loop end of the bundle before it is inserted in the pipe 5 of the Wrapping' mechanism.

The operation of my device is as follows: A bundle of bale ties usually tivo hundred and titty in number are taken from the bale tie machine and placed on the trough shaped heads 66 ofthe standards 65 which are mounted on the receiving table 64 in parallel relation with the loop ends at the forward end of the bundle and the straight ends at the rear end of the same. In this osition the bale ties are inspected andthe en s evened up and the loop end covered with burlap and secured thereto as indicatd in Fig. 12. The operator then grasps the shroud 15 ofthe gear 14 and rotates the tubular shaft l1 until the slot 12 registers with the slot 6 in pipe 5 the chuck being open the bundle is then inserted inthe pipe 5 with the burlapped end extending slightly beyond the forward end of the pipe. The end of a spool of wire is then attached thereto, said end being threaded through the eye 190i a pin 20 and then wrapped one or more turns around the burlapped end of the bundle and the end secured to the body of the Wire as indicated in Fig. 1B. This wrapped end ofthe bundle is then inserted inthe chair portion 42 ot' the clamp bar at() Where it is securcl;7 held therein by means of the lever 43 with the pin 51 of the clamp bar engaging the sprocket chain 52. The hinged portion of th:` chuck is then closed with the inner serrated face 35 of the chuck engaging the bundle to prevent it from rotating in the pipe 5 and the arc-shaped cover 8 being turned to cover the slot in the pipe 5 and prevent stray bale tics from escaping through theslot C. The operator then starts both motors 17 Yand 59 by means of a single switch GT. The motor 5f.) rotating the sprocket Wheels and 54.- and chain 52 which advances the clamp bar et() and bundle hv means of the pin v51 engaging the chain an at the same time the motor 17 by means of the pinion 16 engaging gear 14 with the spool mounted thereon, Wraps the Wire spirally around the bundle until it nearly .reaches the opposite or straight ends of the bundle of bale ties at which point the clamp bar is tripped by raising the pin 51 out of engagement with the sprocket chain 52 thereby stopping the forward movement of the bundle and leaving it in a stationary position. rfhe gear 14. however is allowed to rotate tivo or three revolutions therebygiving as many tight Wraps at this end of the bundle. after this is done the motors are stopped the wire cutott and securely tied as indicated in Fig. 14 of the drawings.

The clamping lever 43 and the hinged portion 25 of the chuck are then released and the bundle. taken out of the machine and placed on the brackets 63 on one side of the feeding mechanism and burlap secured to the rear straight ends ofthe bale tics as indicated in Fig. 15.

It will he noted that after the T-shaped head portion 49 of the clamp bar 40 is ad-y vanced bevond the end of the top plate 60 of the guide Ways it can be tripped at any time either by raising the T-shaped head portion 49 manually by means of the handle, or by means of a stop 62 adapted to engage the legl of the chair portion 42. after the clamp bar 40 has advanced the bundle to the desired point.

It will be understood that at the end of each wrapping operation the clamp bar 40 is taken out of the machine by hand after it has been tripped and inserted inthe guide Way at the opposite end thereof as will be clearly7 understood by referring to Figs. l, i and 10 of the drawings. n

.'Xlthough I have shown and described my invention in considerable detail. I do not Wish to be limited to the exact and specific details shown and described. but may use such substitutions, moditications or equivalents there ot' as are embraced Within the scope of my invention, or as pointed out in the claims.

Havingl thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure b v Letters Patent is:

1. In a bundle Wrapping machine. comprising wrapping mechanism. a clamping bar having a clamping lever for positively holding the bundle against rotation. and for clamping the forward end of the bundle, means attached to the clamping bar for teeding the clamping bar forward during the Wrapping operation. means for drivingethe Wrapping .mechanisim and means independent ot' the wrapping mechanism for driving the feeding mechanism.

2. In a bundle Wrapping machine. Wrapping mcrhansm conuirising means tor spirally winding a strand around the bundle, a clamping bar, clamping mechanism on the clamping bar for surroundin(1r and clamping the end of the bundle, feeding mechanism adapted to engage and feed the clamping bar forward during the wrapping operation, and means for automatically stopping the feeding mechanism independent of the Wrapping mechanism.

3. In a bundle wrapping machine, wraping mechanism comprising a pipe for receivmg the bundle, a tubular shaft mounted on the pipe, a. gear carried by the tubular shaft wrapping material carried by the gear, a feeding device for the bundle, means on the feeding device for engaging the bundle and feeding it forward during the wrapping operation, and means for automatically stopping the feeding device during the wrapping operation. h

4. In a bundle Wrapping machine, Wrapping mechanism comprising a slotted pipe for receiving the bundle, a tubular shaft mounted on the pipe having a slot adapted 'to register with the slot formed in the pipe, a gear carried by the tubular shaft, a spool of wraping material mounted on the gear adapted to he secured to one end of the bundle, means for rotating the gear whereby the wrapping material is wound spirally around. the bundle, a feeding device adapted to engage and advance the bundle during the Wrapping operation, and means for controlling the feeding' mechanism independent of the wrapping mechanism.

5. In a bundle wrapping machine, Wrap` ping mechanism comprising a base frame a slotted pipe rigidly secured thereto for receiving the bundle,`a chuck secured to the pipe for gripping thebundle to prevent rotation, a tubular shaft mounted on the pipe having a slot adapted to register with the slot formed in the pipe, a gear carried by the tubular shaft having` an enlarged opening formed therein in line with andconnected to the slot in the tubular shaft, a spool of wrapping material being mounted on the side face of the gear the end of which is adapted to be secured to the bundle, a feeding device for advancing the bundle, means for rotat-` ing the gear whereby the ,wrapping material is wound spirally around the bundle,rmeans for operating the wrappingmechanism and feeding device simultaneously, and means for controlling the feeding device independent of the wrapping mechanism.

6. In a bundle- Wrapping machine, comprising a feeding device having a clamp bar, with means adapted to surround and grip the forward end of the bundle, means attached to the clamp bar for feeding the bundle fori ward, and a wrapping mechanism for spiralstrand adapted to have its ends secured to the bundle.

7. In a bundle wrapping machine, comprising a feeding device having a. clam bar mounted in a guideway adapted to grip the bundle, mechanism attached tothe clamp bar for feeding the bundle forward, wrapping mechanism having means adapted to engage the bundle to prevent rotation and for spirally winding a strand around the bundle from end to end during the feeding o eration, said strand adapted to have its ends secured to the bundle, and means for operatin the Wrapping mechanism and feeding device simultaneously and independently of each other.

8. In a bundle wrapping machine, comprising a feeding device having a clamp bar with means adapt-ed to surround and grip the forward end of the bundle, means attached to the clamp bar for feeding the bundle forward, wrapping mechanism having means adapted to engage the bundle to prevent rotation, wrapping material. carried by the wrapping mechanism adapted to be attached to the bundle and then spirally wound around the bundle from end to end during the feeding operation, means for operating the wrapping mechanism and feeding device simultaneously, and means for stopping the feeding device in advance of the wrapping mechanism. a

9. In a bundle wrapping machine, wrapping mechanism comprising a slotted pipe adapted toreceive the bundle to be Wrapped,

a chuck secured to the pipe to hold the bundle against rotation, a tubular shaft mounted on the pipe having a slot adapted to register with the slot formed in the pi e, a. gear carried by the tubular shaft, a spoo of Wrap- ,f ing material beine mounted on the gear said wrapping material adapted to bev secured to one end of the bundle, a feeding device having means for gripping the bundle and feed the gear if `forward., means for rotatin whereby the .wrapping materia is wound vspirally around the bundle during the feedformed in t ie pipe, a movable cover for the slot in the pipe, a. gear carried by t-he tubular shaft, a pin having an eye formed therein attached to the gear, a spindle attached to the face of the gear, aspool of wrapping material being mount-ed on the spindle, said wrapping material'being threaded through the eye of the pin and attached to one end of the bundle, a feeding device having means 4 y for grip ing the forward end of the bundle` gear whereb having a hinged section secured in the for! tease/asa and fee it forward,"meansfor rotating the the' wrapping material is ceding operation, and means for controlling the feeding device and wrapping mechanism.

. 11. In a bundle wrapping machine, wrapping mechanism comprising a hase frame, a

slotted pipe rigidly secured thereto adapted to receive the bundle to be wrapped, a chuckv ward end of the pipe for holding the bundle against rotation, a tubular shaft mounted on the pi e and journaled in bearings secured tothe hase frame a slot formed in the tubular shaft adapted to register with the slot formed in the pipe, a movable cover for the slot in the pipe, a gear carried at the forward end of the tubular shaft, a pin having an eye formed therein attached to the side w face of the gear, a spindle attached to the gear opposite the pin, a spool of Wire being mounted on the spindle, the end of said wire being adapted to be threaded through the e e of the pin and attached to one end of the bundle, a feeding device having means for gripping the forward end of the bundle and feed it forward, means for rotating the gear whereby the wire is wrapped spirally around the bundle during the feeding operation, and means for controlling the feeding device and Wrapping mechanism.

l2. In a bundle wrapping machine, wrapping mechaism having means adapted for spirally winding a strand around the bundle to be wrapped, a feeding device for the bundle during the wrapping operation comprisn ing a clamp bar mounted in a guide way, a gripping device carried by the clamp bar for engaging the bundle to be wrapped, means for engaging the clamp bar and feeding it forward, means for operating the feeding mechanism, and means for automatically dis engaging the clamp bar from the feeding mechanism.

13. In a bundle wrapping machine, Wrapping mechanism having means adapted for spirally winding a strand around the bundle to be wrapped, a feeding device for the bundle during the wrapping operation comprising a base frame, a guide Way mounted thereon, a clamp bar mounted to slide in the way, a gripping device carried by the clamp har for engaging the bundle to be wrapped, rotary means for engaging the clamp bar and feeding it forward, means for driving the rotary feeding mechanism, and a stop for engaging the clamp bar for automatically disengaging the clamp bar from the feed ing mechanism.

14. In a bundle wrapping machine, wrapping mechanism having means adapted for spirally winding a strand around the bundle to be' wrapped, a feeding device for the bundle during the wrapping operation comed thereon guide waysmounted on the channels, sprocket wheels journaled near each end prising a base frame, spaced channels mountV of the channels, a chain connecting the?l "sprocket Wheels, a clampl bar mounted to f slide in the ways,a grippingdevice carried by the clamp-bar for engaging the bundle to be wrapped, a projection carried by the clamp bar for normally engaging n the sprocket chain', means for drivingthe sprocket wheels and chain, and means for disengaging the projection from the chain.

A15. In a bundle wrapping machine, wrapping mechanism having means adapted for spirally winding a strand around the bundle to be wrapped, a feeding device for the bundle during the wrapping operation comprising a base frame, spaced channels mounted thereon guide ways mounted on the chana nels, sprocket wheels journaled near each end of the channels, a chain connecting the sprocket wheels adapted to travel between the channels and the guide wa s, a clamp bar having a head adapted to sli e in the guide ways, a gripping device carried by the clamp bar for engaging the bundle to be wrapped, a,

projection carried by the head of the clamp bar for normally engaging the sprocket chain, a motor for rotating the sprocket wheels and chain, and a handle on the clamp by means of which the projection on the clamp bar may be disengaged from the chain.

16. In a bundle Wrapping machine, wrapping mechanism having means adapted for spirally Winding a strand around the bundle to be wrapped, a feeding device for the bundle during the wrapping operation comprising a base frame, spaced channels mounted thereon, guide ways mounted on the chairnels, a top cover plate for the-guide wa s stopping short of the forward ends of t e guide ways, a cut away portion formed near the rear ends of the cover plates, a sprocket wheel journaled near each end vof the channels, a chain connecting the sprocket Wheels adapted to travel in a line between the spaced channels and the ide ways, a clam having a T-shapeu head adapted to e inserted between the cut away portions and to slide in the guide-ways, a ippin device carried by the clamp bar or hol ing the forward end of the bundle to be wrapped, a projecting pin carried by the head of the clamp bar for normally engaging the sprocket chain, a motor for rotatin the sprocket wheels and chain, and a han le on the clamp by means of which the projecting pin onthe clamp har may be disengaged from the chain and the clamp bar transferred to the opposite end of the guide way and inserted betwen the cut away portion of the cover plate.

17,. ln a bundle wrapping machine, wrapping mechanism comprising means for holding the bundle against rotation but allowing bar longitudinal movement therethrough, means for feeding the bundle forward during the wra ping operation, means for s lrally win 'n a. strand around the bundle uring the fee ing operation, and means for sto ping the feeding operation in advance of t 1c wrapping mechanism.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature. 

